...to be very upset over the death of someone I've never met?

[GilmoursPillow]

My 14 yo learnt yesterday that one of her friends from school died in a car accident on Friday along with her mother who was driving, and another passenger who died today.

I didn't know this friend except from what DD had said about her yet I found myself in tears today after driving by the accident site (which is close to where we live).
I don't want to be claiming other's grief as my own but I'm upset at the loss of a beautiful young life through someone else's actions. I'm upset at the father and brother left who are leaving the country tonight, with the remains to be repatriated in their own country, who aren't coping at all - unsurprisingly.
I'm upset at having to hold DD while she sobs into my shoulder.

Is this normal, or am I over-thinking this?

YANBU but I know why you questioned it .. A mum at our school ( never met her, but knew her husband and one of her kids ) died last year .. I was sad but ok until I saw her husband one morning at drop off and just went home and sobbed and sobbed ... I felt silly because I didn't even know her x

Don't worry special, if anything, I'm more vigilant on the roads now and was close to my destination where I sat and cried. Thankfully it's very bright and I didn't look out of place sitting in my car with sunglasses on.

RTAs are the leading cause of death in an age group of something like 14-45 where I live and this has hammered it home along with the need to be bloody careful.

YANBU, something so similar to your own situation is bound to get to you.

As for Princess Diana dying, well I felt very choked and upset (especially watching the funeral) but thought I didn't have a valid reason to cry so forced myself not to (was ).

Prince William is one month younger than I am, so I now realise that I was more empathising with imagining what it would be like to lose my mum, than crying over Princess Di.